Operating Procedures for the Instron: Purpose and Scope: This document describes the procedures and policies for using the MSE-Instron Test Frame. The scope of the document is to establish user procedures. Instrument maintenance and repair are outside the scope of this document. Responsibilities: This document is maintained by the department Lab manager or Scientific Instructional Technician (SIT). The SIT is responsible for general maintenance and for arranging repair when necessary. If you feel that the instrument is in need of repair or is not operating correctly please notify the SIT immediately. The SIT will operate the instruments according to the procedures set down in this document and will provide instruction and training to users within the department. Users are responsible for using the instrument described according to these procedures. These procedures assume that the user has had at least one training session. Precautions: Always wear safety glasses and other appropriate safety equipment when operating the instrument. Depending on the material under test, fragments have been known to fly out from the sample and can present a projectile hazard. Please do not operate this instrument until you have been properly trained. This SOP assumes the reader has been through the regular training sessions. This is a very basic procedure and does not cover specific details for the variety of test methods available. The users specific needs will be covered in the training. Procedure: Instron 5500R Universal Test Frame Load Cell Manual Controller Work Area Above Cross Head Cross Head Fig. 1
Part 1: The Instron is part of the MSE cost center. Before beginning any test please remember to fill out the log sheet located on the desk top of the control computer. If the user account is logged out, when you log back in the excel spreadsheet should open automatically. Part 2: Before you do anything else check that the correct load cell is installed. (see fig. 1) For most measurements it should be the 100kN load cell. If it is the wrong cell, remove it, disconnect it from the frame and install the correct cell. Remove and install the cell carefully! There are six hex head screws. Tighten them down in a star manner, similar to a car tire. Connect the cell to the frame. (This will be demonstrated in training). Part 3: Open Bluehill. In the upper right hand side is the load cell dialog (fig. 2). Open it and select calibrate. When it has finished calibrating select done. Part 4: Install the appropriate fixtures for your test. If you are using the tensile grips, please remember to install the adapter first. Install the grips and be sure to tighten them up. Part 5: If you already have a method programmed, open Bluehill Test (see fig. 3). Verify the parameters in your method and that there is an end condition (Appendix 1) for the test as well as a second end condition to protect the load cell. Depending on your method, input the dimensions of your specimen. Before installing the specimen it is recommended that you balance the load programmatically. This indicates a zero load with the fixtures installed. Part 6: Install the specimen. Using the fine adjust, apply a small load to remove any slack. Tighten the grip adjustments if necessary. Then still using the fine adjust, get as close to zero load as you can. Put down the protective shield and put on your safety glasses. Start the test. If the method allows you can adjust the rate during the test. Part 7: When the test completes, load the next sample or select finish. If you are finished with the test method select the second finish button at which time a dialog will come up asking you if you want to start a new test with the same methods. If you do, select yes and you will be prompted to open a new file. If not, select no and exit Bluehill. Remove your data from the desktop to a USB drive. The Instron computer is not connected to the internet. When you are finished please remember to remove your broken samples. Place them in a trash receptacle. If your material is hazardous, place in a plastic bag, apply a hazardous waste label (filled out) and place with other hazardous waste materials
waiting for EH&S. If you are unsure about where to place your hazardous waste, please contact the SIT. Safety glasses are required in MUE 165. Part 8: Developing a Method: To develop a new test method, open Bluehill and select Method from the main page. A dialog will come up with the last twenty (20) methods listed. If you wish, you can select one of the MSE 170 methods which is the most basic. Otherwise, select new method. You will be prompted to choose what kind of test, tensile, compression, or flexure. At the top of the screen there are a number of icons for preferences that must be programmed within the method. Select the individual icons and program accordingly. (see fig. 2) In fig. 3 you will see the tabs that should be selected to program your method. Which tabs you use and how you program them will depend on your particular measurement. During your second training session a method can be set up to get you started. Fig. 4 shows the starting screen for running a test after the method has been completed. Finally, appendix 1 is copied from the help file in Bluehill regarding end of test controls. Implementation and Training: This SOP will be available to all users and must be adhered to. The SIT will train users in the implementation of this document. Attachments: Figures 2, 3, and 4 are snap shots of the windows in used in Blue hill Appendix 1 is from the help file regarding end of test controls.
Fig. 2
These are programmed using the icons as described in Fig. 2 Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Appendix 1 Setup Control - End of Test (From Bluehill Help File) You open the Setup Control - End of Test screen in the Method tab by clicking on Control - End of Test in the navigation bar. This screen lets you set up the End of Test criteria for your test and, if your test type requires it, an End of Hold criteria. All test types have four End of Test criteria, the following test types require End of Hold in addition: Tension Creep Relaxation Compression Creep Relaxation Flexure Creep Relaxation End of Test area You can choose up to four separate end of test criteria. These criteria operate independently and the first one that is satisfied will stop the test. End of Test 1 The criteria available for End of Test 1 are listed in the table below. Rate of load, Load threshold, and Load with delay are always available. These criteria provide different ways of defining a specimen break. There are several factors that affect the number of channels available to you as end of test criteria. Refer to How does the system handle channels? for more information about the channels available. End of Test Criteria Associated Fields Rate of load Sensitivity (%) The test ends when the load drops by the Sensitivity value within a 100ms time period. The sensitivity is measured as a percentage of the load at the beginning of the 100ms period. Load threshold Load with delay The load must first attain a value of 1% of the full-scale of the load cell before the detector becomes active. Load drops to The test ends when the load falls to the Load drops to value. The load must first attain a value 1.5 times the Load drops to value before the detector becomes active. Load drops to
Delay The detector is inactive for the Delay period that you specify. After this time has elapsed, the test ends when the load falls to the Load drops to value. In this case there is no specific value that the load must attain before the detector becomes active. % Peak Load Load drops by (%) Load threshold Channel name The detector is inactive until the load specified in the Load threshold field has been exceeded. After that value is attained, the test ends when the detector finds the specified Load drops by (%) from peak load. Value The detector searches for the specified Value of the chosen channel. The test ends when that value is attained. End of Test 2, 3 and 4 The only criteria available for End of Test 2, 3 and 4 are based on the value of a particular channel (see Channel name in the table above). There are several factors that affect the number of channels available to you as end of test criteria. Refer to How does the system handle channels? for more information about the channels available. End of Hold area (creep and relaxation test types only) You set the condition for the end of the hold in a relaxation test as follows: 1. Select from a list of channels in the Criteria field. 2. Set a value for change in the chosen channel in the Delta field. The change in value is measured from the start of the hold. For example, if you want to end the hold when the value of load changes by 50N from the start of the hold, set Criteria to Load and Delta to 50N. Similarly, if you want the hold to last for 90 seconds, set Criteria to Time and Duration to 90 secs. There are several factors that affect the number of channels available to you. Refer to How does the system handle channels? for more information about the channels available. How does the End of Test Action field work? You choose an End of Test action that defines the behavior of the crosshead/actuator when either:
the End of Hold criteria are satisfied (creep and relaxation test types only), or one of the End of Test criteria are satisfied, whichever occurs first. The End of Test actions are: Stop - the crosshead/actuator stops. Return - the crosshead/actuator stops and returns to the gauge length position (i.e. the point at which extension equals zero). Stop, then return - the crosshead/actuator stops. A message box appears prompting you to remove the specimen. When you have removed the specimen, clicking on the OK button in the message box returns the crosshead/actuator to the gauge length position. Alternatively, you can remove the specimen and return the crosshead/actuator to the gauge length position using the hardware Control Panel, dismissing the message box.